RSPU vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RSPU (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSPU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Equal Weighted / Utilities Plus, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RSPU returned 9.39%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RSPU charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

RSPU vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RSPU achieves a 4.83% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, RSPU has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 9.39%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

RSPU

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -4.29%
• YTD: 4.83%
• 6M: 3.78%
• 1Y: 10.96%
• 3Y*: 15.70%
• 5Y*: 10.71%
• 10Y*: 9.39%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

RSPU vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	4.83%	16.82%	23.57%	-3.45%	4.37%	17.13%	-2.70%	22.94%	6.89%	9.43%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between RSPU and QQQ is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2006	0.33

Over the past year, the correlation between RSPU and QQQ has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.33, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RSPU vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSPU	QQQ
Utilities	100.0%	1.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	53.8%

Return for Risk

RSPU vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

RSPU

RSPU Risk / Return Rank: 23
RSPU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
RSPU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
RSPU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
RSPU Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
RSPU Martin Ratio Rank: 24

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

RSPU vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	RSPU	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	2.64	-1.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	3.45	-2.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.45	-0.31
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.30	3.51	-2.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.04	13.49	-10.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RSPU vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSPU Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSPU and QQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RSPU	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	2.64	-1.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.81	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49	0.99	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.41	+0.06

Drawdowns

RSPU vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSPU drawdown since its inception was -48.08%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSPU and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSPU	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.08%	-82.97%	+34.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.46%	-11.96%	+3.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.27%	-22.77%	+6.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.86%	-35.12%	+13.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.85%	-35.12%	-1.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.15%	-0.26%	-6.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.85%	-32.79%	+24.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.63%	3.11%	+0.52%

Volatility

RSPU vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF (RSPU) has a higher volatility of 5.21% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that RSPU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RSPU	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	4.49%	+0.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.93%	12.10%	-1.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.98%	15.94%	-1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.92%	22.38%	-5.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.09%	22.29%	-3.20%

RSPU vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSPU has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSPU vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

RSPU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.54%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
RSPU Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Utilities ETF	2.54%	2.54%	2.39%	2.92%	2.35%	2.41%	2.94%	2.54%	3.11%	3.08%	2.98%	4.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSPU and QQQ in my portfolio?

RSPU and QQQ have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSPU or QQQ?

RSPU has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSPU dropped -48.08% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, RSPU or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs 9.39% for RSPU. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSPU or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.94% return vs 9.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSPU or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for RSPU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RSPU or QQQ?

RSPU has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between RSPU and QQQ?

RSPU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. RSPU tracks S&P 500 Equal Weighted / Utilities Plus, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RSPU and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.79), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.